Are the Hightowers in ‘Game of Thrones’? Here’s What Fans Overlooked

House Hightower may be one of the most significant names in Westeros that many ‘Game of Thrones’ viewers overlooked. Throughout the flames of ‘House of the Dragon’ and the original series, this ancient family from Oldtown has subtly influenced the fate of the Seven Kingdoms without receiving the recognition fans believe they deserve.

So, are the Hightowers technically present in ‘Game of Thrones’? The answer is yes, but their appearances are so understated that a brief list of every mentioned member of House Hightower in the series fits into just a few names, highlighting the contrast to their central role in the prequel series.

House Hightower of Oldtown is a noble house from the Reach, loyal to House Tyrell of Highgarden, with their seat located in Oldtown, the oldest and second most populated city in Westeros. Their motto, “We Light the Way,” perfectly suits a family whose castle is a massive lighthouse.

Some historians suggest the Hightowers descend from the First Men, while others believe they originated from seafarers who settled the region even before the First Men arrived. Their fortress predates much of Westeros as we know it, with legends attributing the current stone tower’s construction to a legendary builder.

Oldtown is also the seat of the High Septon and the center of the Faith of the Seven, home to the Citadel and the Order of Maesters. This dual religious and academic authority has granted the Hightowers influence that has outlasted kings and dynasties.

Despite their ancient lineage, House Hightower barely registers on screen during the original ‘Game of Thrones’ series. The family is largely absent, and fans who only watched the show would likely only learn the Hightower name once ‘House of the Dragon’ premiered.

However, a few connections exist between the two. Lord Leyton Hightower is the head of House Hightower during the events of the original series, but he never appears physically, having remained in the Hightower for over a decade. His absence has become a running joke among devoted fans of the books.

The most visually striking connection to House Hightower comes from the Tower of Joy flashback. In the Season 6 episode “Oathbreaker,” a younger Ned Stark arrives to rescue his sister Lyanna, and during a brief duel, he kills Ser Gerold Hightower, who remained loyal to the Mad King throughout Robert’s Rebellion. This single sword fight is essentially the family’s most significant moment in the entire original series.

Family ties also extend to the Tyrells. Lady Alerie Hightower married Mace Tyrell, becoming the mother of Margaery and Loras Tyrell, while her younger sister Lynesse Hightower married Ser Jorah Mormont, whose exile stemmed from her lavish tastes. These bloodlines subtly connect the Hightowers to some of the most memorable arcs of the entire show.

Everything shifts once ‘House of the Dragon’ begins. Otto Hightower serves as Hand of the King to Viserys Targaryen, and it is his suggestion that Viserys marry his daughter Alicent after the death of his first wife that ignites the central conflict of the prequel.

Alicent and Rhaenyra Targaryen shared a close bond growing up in King’s Landing, but their relationship deteriorated as their children grew older and questions arose regarding the true parentage of Rhaenyra’s sons. This fracture ultimately divides the realm into two opposing factions.

The scheming of House Hightower truly ignited the Dance of the Dragons, as the small council chose to crown Alicent’s son Aegon on the Iron Throne despite Rhaenyra being the named heir. From that moment on, the Hightowers transitioned from a background house to the architects of civil war.

Margaery Tyrell, daughter of Mace Tyrell and Alerie Hightower, is a direct descendant of the Hightower line through her mother, illustrating how far this family’s bloodline extends into the original series without most viewers recognizing the connection.

The war leaves deep scars on the family, particularly its most notable daughter. Alicent Hightower survived the Dance of the Dragons after witnessing the deaths of her father, four children, and nearly all her grandchildren. Despite opposing her granddaughter Jaehaera’s marriage to Aegon the Younger and later suggesting cutting the boy’s throat, she ultimately succumbed to Winter Fever in 133 AC.

Despite the devastation, the family line continues. Lord Ormund Hightower led the greens’ forces during the war and fell in the First Battle of Tumbleton, after which his 15-year-old son Lyonel controversially married his own widowed stepmother, Lady Samantha Tarly.

This marriage reshaped the family’s fortunes entirely. Lady Samantha later founded the Bank of Oldtown, which helped House Hightower amass significant wealth in the aftermath of the Dance of the Dragons. It’s a fitting twist that the family known for lighting the way to Oldtown ended up financing half of Westeros afterward.

Considering how much the Hightowers influenced the Dance of the Dragons yet received minimal mention in the original ‘Game of Thrones,’ do you think the show missed an opportunity to give this family the recognition it deserves, or does their mysterious, background presence enhance Oldtown’s intrigue?